The visit of Nigeria’s former Defence Chief, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, last Thursday, was historic and memorable on many fronts.
Accompanied by his longtime friend and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, it was the first visit of the Taraba State-born retired army general to the university to see, firsthand, the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy, a project he majorly sponsored, domiciled at the university.
General Danjuma receiving the elephant tusk gift from the Pro-Chancellor.
It was a day when the Nigerian National Anthem spoke volumes that “though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand” with greater prospects.
On hand to receive the august visitor was the Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the university’s governing council, Barrister Monsur Olugbenga Kukoyi, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, alongside other members of the university’s governing council and principal officers.
Emeka Anyaoku, Gen T.Y. Danjuma, Prof Anyaehie, Barr Kukoyi, and Bishop Ezeakor
To commemorate the visit, a special historic unity tree planting exercise was done by the trio of Danjuma, Kukoyi and Anyaoku amid joy and relish, while Danjuma was also decorated with various Igbo traditional regalia, including the “Isiagu” attire, red cap, beads and the akupe (traditional hand fan), symbolising honour and respect.
The Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy was launched in 2017 in honour of the Obosi, Anambra State-born elder statesman, Anyaoku, who served two tenures as Secretary General of the Commonwealth. The then VC, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, said during the launch of the N1.5 billion institute that the idea to establish the institute was born out of the need to preserve the legacies Chief Anyaoku achieved in his lifetime while he is still alive, and to pass it on to generations to come.
The realisation of the dream institute lingered until the appointment of Prof. Nonyelu as its director by the Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone administration. Nonyelu and his team went to work and through the instrumentality of Anyaoku, his longtime friend and student, Danjuma, committed over N1 billion, leading to the building and furnishing of the institute, inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu in May last year, during his official state visit to Anambra.
In a welcome remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, expressed profound appreciation to Chief Anyaoku for his decision to lend his name to the institute. He noted that Anyaoku’s global reputation played a pivotal role in mobilising the resources that ensured the project’s successful completion.
The Vice-Chancellor before formally inviting the Pro-Chancellor to also welcome Gen. Danjuma to the university community, further emphasised that the collaboration and enduring friendship between the two national icons serve as a powerful source of inspiration for students and the broader university community.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council, Barr Monsur Olugbenga Kukoyi, while welcoming and applauding Gen. Danjuma for his noble intervention in the project, described UNIZIK as the university of the moment, going by the positive developments in the institution, presently, and the eagerness of various benefactors to support the vision of the university management.
“This is the university of the moment. When I set foot at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University about a year ago, there was something significantly unique and peculiar about this university. This institution is going places and how best can we say it than when we have high flying statesmen like Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and people like Senator Ben Obi standing right behind us, among others ready to guide us in every step we take, to provide us with lots of support, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding” he stated.
General Danjuma expressed deep satisfaction with the quality and pace of work, commending the university management for delivering the project within an impressive one-year time frame, a project that has quickly become a symbol of academic excellence and visionary leadership within the university.
He described the rapid completion as a rare demonstration of transparency, commitment, and effective leadership in institutional development, noting that it reflects the possibility of achieving world-class infrastructure within record time in Nigeria.
General Danjuma highlighted his long-standing relationship with Chief Anyaoku, revealing that the renowned diplomat was once his teacher during his early military training. He praised Anyaoku as one of the most brilliant minds he encountered.
Responding, Chief Anyaoku disclosed that General Danjuma is the institute’s highest benefactor, having contributed over N1 billion towards its construction and furnishing. He recalled that both he and Danjuma had come a long way together and described the General as both generous and compassionate.
Earlier in a remark, the Director of the Institute, Prof. Au Nonyelu, went down memory lane on the journey towards realising the dream for the project. He recalled that the place was a thick bush when he was appointed its director by the then vice chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone, noting that even Chief Anyaoku was hesitant and skeptical at first when he took over as director, knowing that the place has been lying fallow for years
“I told the vice chancellor that, with his permission, we shall turn this place around into a befitting institute in no distant time. Through the generous donation by Gen. TY Danjuma, facilitated by Chief Anyaoku, I took the biggest risk of my life because we went to work immediately and, within one year, the structure was built and commissioned by President Tinubu.
“This is an institute devoted to the propagation of international studies. We have put up public advertisements in two national dailies and, in the next few weeks, we are ready to commence Masters, Doctorate degrees and Fellowships. Fellowships in Commonwealth Studies, Israeli Studies and Middle East, Artificial Intelligence, and International Affairs. This historic visit is, therefore, to show the greatest quiet philanthropist of our time the extent of work from the funds he brought.” Prof. Nonyelu stated.
The Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy is expected to serve as a leading hub for global research and policy engagement, standing as a lasting testament to the partnership between two towering figures in Nigeria’s military and diplomatic history.
Other dignitaries present at the event included Senator Ben Ndii Obi; former Aviation Minister and ex-Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka; the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Paulinus Ezeokafor, and union leaders in the university. Members of the Governing Council present included Prof. Pius Okoye, Prof. Traci Uto Ezeajughi, and Prof. Paul Okolie; principal officers, deans, directors, and other members of the university community.